13 September, 2024

Current vs Collective state of the atmosphere

Atmospheric elements of climate and weather


  • Precipitation
    • process that ends with the fall of water to the earth’s surface.


  • Temperature
    • amount of heat energy in the air


  • Atmospheric pressure
    • force exerted on a surface by the weight of the atmosphere.
    • varies vertically; decrease as you ascend
    • influences the movement of air
  • Wind
    • dries humidity, causes storms, and drives evaporation


  • Solar radiation
    • provides heat


  • Cloudiness
    • form when humid air cools to dew point & water/ice attaches to dust, ash, etc.
    • type and # are important

Climate vs Weather: Words matter


The Earth is divided into different climate zones

Distinguished by several key physical biosphere features

Slope of Earth’s surface causes uneven heating across latitudes

Earth’s axial tilt (23.5°) and orbit creates seasons

More uneven heating

Atmosphere circulation creates large climate patterns

Creates wet and dry regions on land surfaces

Earth’s atmosphere contains six rotating cells

Coriolis effect deflects cells in different directions above/below equator

Earth surface features also impact climate

Weather and climate do not just happen to a landscape…

Mountains and the rain shadow effect

Closeness to large bodies

Surface features also impact weather: Atlantic hurricanes

Surface features impact weather: Atlantic hurricanes

Vegetation alters weather and climate

Why is London warmer than Boston in the winter?

Ocean currents heavily impact global climates

Global climate: El Nino (https://www.climate.gov/enso)

Biomes: Defined by communities of plants adapted to climate


Climate controls life: Terrestrial biomes










Why is the yin and yang of ecology and evolution key here?

How does climate impact ecology? A question of scale…

Aquatic Biomes: Depth, light and nutrients

Take home messages

  • Climate and weather are connected but should not be used interchangeably
    • current vs collective atmospheric conditions


  • The Earth is round, tilted and spinning
    • adds complexity to how energy interacts with the surface
    • more than just albedo


  • There are broad climate patterns with latitude and altitude


  • HOWEVER - lots of other factors make weather and climate patterns more complex
    • know some examples


  • Biomes represent climate zones composed of living things adapted to specific climate conditions
    • largely related to precipiation and temperature